How hard is Luxembourgish B1 Level? Your Complete Guide – Part 2

In part one – Episode 98 – we talked about how B1 can feel like a real climb: tougher grammar, more vocabulary, and moments of “Am I really getting this?”. That’s normal—it’s where many learners hit the intermediate plateau, not because they’re failing, but because the language becomes more nuanced. 

The good news: B1 is totally doable. And with the right support, like our Intensive B1 Hybrid Course, plus consistency and smart practice, your progress speeds up quickly.

It’s really designed to save you time and help you focus on what actually moves you forward at B1. And that’s the power of the right structure and a bit of guidance: your progress speeds up.

Consistency and smart practice: that’s the magic combination. 

Today in part 2 we’ll cover how long it takes to go from A2 to B1, how the LAF B1 exam looks like and share key tips and mistakes to avoid.

How Long Does It Take to go from A2 to B1?

So, one of the questions I get all the time is: “How long does it take to get from A2 to B1?” or “How much do I need to study to reach B1?” And the honest answer is: it depends. Your routine, the intensity of your practice, whether you’re surrounded by Luxembourgish in your daily life, and your personal learning pace all play a role. There isn’t one universal timeline, but we can look at typical patterns to give you a realistic idea.

Official estimates from the Language Institute say that reaching B1 usually requires somewhere between 350 and 650 45-minute lessons from zero to B1. If you’re already at A2, you’ve completed a big part of that. And with regular study each week, many learners comfortably make the jump from A2 to B1 in roughly 10 to 12 months. It may sound long, but honestly, learning a language to a conversational level in under two years is extremely reasonable.

On the other hand, if you go the intensive route, the timeline looks completely different. Full-time immersion courses often complete each level in just a few weeks. Many schools estimate you can move from A2 to B1 in 12 to 16 weeks. In immersive programs—like our B1 Hybrid Bootcamp—learners typically progress from A2 to B1 in around 16 weeks. And yes, this is absolutely achievable when you study several hours a day and follow our structured study plan consistently.

So now that we’ve talked about typical timelines, let’s bring it back to what this really looks like with us at Luxembourgish with Anne. Because most learners fall somewhere between the extremes of super-intensive studying and the very relaxed, “when I have time” approach.

Here are three realistic scenarios for reaching B1 with our programs:

Scenario 1: The fastest route – our B1 Hybrid Bootcamp.
If you want a clear structure and fast progress, this is the option. The Bootcamp combines focused self-study during the week with one small-group coaching session to practise speaking and get feedback.

Because it’s intensive but manageable, most committed learners move from A2 to B1 in about four months. It takes several hours of weekly study and some discipline—but the progress is fast, targeted, and seriously effective

Scenario 2: Our 1:1 B1 Coaching Program – personalised and flexible.
If you prefer individual support or have specific goals, 1:1 coaching is ideal. You get weekly personalised sessions, a tailored study plan, and constant feedback. With around 5–8 study hours per week, most learners reach B1 in 4–6 months—sometimes even faster. It’s perfect if you want guidance, accountability, and the freedom to learn at your own pace.

Scenario 3: A more casual, low-intensity approach.
Some learners study more irregularly — a little here, a little there. If you’re doing fewer than 5 hours a week, expect a slower timeline, often a year or longer. And that’s completely fine. A slower pace can work beautifully as long as you keep a bit of consistency — even 10–15 minutes a day keeps everything alive in your brain.

But here’s the really important part:

Quality matters more than the number of hours you put in.

Two learners can both study for 300 hours… and end up at completely different levels.
The difference comes from how actively they practise:

• Are you speaking regularly?
• Are you writing?
• Are you listening to Luxembourgish throughout the week?
• Are you reviewing vocabulary consistently?

In Summary

Reaching B1 takes several hundred hours of exposure and practice, but the timeline is flexible:

• 4 months with the B1 Hybrid Bootcamp
• 4-6 months with 1:1 Coaching
• 1 year or more with a casual, low-intensity study rhythm

What truly matters is regular progress, not the number of months.
Small weekly goals: finishing a chapter, mastering a vocabulary set, having a short conversation add up faster than you think.

And with the right structure and guidance, many learners tell me afterwards: “Honestly, reaching B1 wasn’t as hard or as long as I expected.”

And that’s the power of quality study, consistency, and a good support system.

What Does a B1 Luxembourgish Exam Look Like?

Let’s talk about what you can expect in a typical B1 Luxembourgish exam at the INL. Even if you don’t need the certificate, knowing the format helps you understand what “B1 level” really means.

A B1 exam tests four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

1) Listening – 20 min

You’ll hear 3 everyday audios: announcements, conversations, interviews, or short reports.
The recordings are normally played twice.
The goal is to understand the main points — not every word

2) Reading – 20 min

You’ll get short, practical texts: emails, ads, and simple articles.
Tasks might be multiple choice, matching, or true/false.

3) Writing – 30 min

Usually you write 1 text, for example a message / email or forum post where you express an opinion. You have to write 100 words

4) Speaking – 15 min

The speaking test includes 2 parts:
Part 1: a picture description (several pictures and you need to express your opinion about the pictures)  5-7 min

Part 2: a topic discussion (you have no preparation time) 8-10 min

Tip: Don’t just answer – Interact naturally, develop your ideas, and respond fully to the examiner’s questions. Focus on expressing and justifying your opinions clearly, organising your thoughts, and communicating effectively—even if your grammar isn’t perfect.

In essence: 

The B1 exam assesses whether you can communicate effectively in Luxembourgish in a variety of everyday and workplace-related contexts, express opinions, justify them, and handle more complex, real-life interactions with confidence. With structured preparation—such as our B1 Hybrid Course — the exam becomes far more predictable and significantly less stressful.

Many of our learners at LWA actually find the exam easier than expected, especially after completing several mock exams. So approach it with confidence: understand the format, practise the key skills, and you’ll be well positioned to succeed.